Pressure tank sprinkler system



Ma rch 31, 1942. RlDER I 2,277,873

PRESSURE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Aug 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Enventor Y HARRY N. RI -R- (Ittorneg March 31, 1942.

H. N. RIDER Filed Aug. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fll\ WC I /28 I I6 r I s 3 I H I I H Ihwcntor AMY M. Riki-R March 31, 1942. H. N. RID ER 2,277,873

PRESSURE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII II III 7 n 1 ll L! Zhuwntor HARRY N. RIDEF attorney March 31, 1942. H. NRIDER 2,277,873

PRESSURE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ISnvcnfor HARR n. RIDER (Tttornci;

Patented Mar. 31, 1942 PRESSURE TANK SPRINKLER SYSTEM Harry N. Rider, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to Automatic Sprinkler Company of America, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application August 10, 1940, Serial No. 352,085

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a pressure tank where the city water supply is undependable, and is intended for occupancies that are not rated as hazardous risks or where a limited number of sprinklers are expected to open before a fire is extinguished.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a sprinkler system incorporating a pressure tank as a source of water supply equipped with means for applying pressure to the water in the pressure tank so as to satisfactorily force the water therefrom through the sprinkler system and sprinklers at such times as they open in controlling a fire.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure tank sprinkler system wherein the pressure developed in the tank results from the automatic release of compressed gases thereinto.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure tank sprinkler system wherein pressure responsive devices associated with the system release compressed gases into the pressure tank of the system upon the opening of one or more of the sprinklers of the system.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure tank sprinkler system wherein a drop of the hydraulic head in a portion of the sprinkler system, as occasioned by the opening of one or more of the sprinklers of the system, serves to actuate release mechanism for releasing compressed gases into the pressure tank of the sprinkler system so as to insure an adequate flow of fire extinguishing liquid from the said sprinkler. I

The system comprises a conventional sprinkler system as is well known in the art with its source of water supply comprising a tank in which pressure of expanding compressed gases released thereinto serves to force the water through the sprinkler system so as to control a fire.

Specifically, the principal novelty of the invention resides in the sprinkler system and the compressed gas release mechanism and its associated actuating portions of the system.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes inthe precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation with parts broken away showing the complete organization of the pressure tank sprinkler system.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of an actuating device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional side elevation showing, in an enlarged detail, release mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional elevation taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 3 and shows in detail a portion of the release latch thereof.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the release mechanism shown in Figure 3. Section lines 3-3 on Figure 5 indicates the position of the cross section shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

By referring to the drawings and Figure 1 in particular it will be seen that a sprinkler system has been designed so that sprinkler protection can be furnished to buildings located in areas where there is no city water supply available or where the city water supply is not dependable, and that the system comprises primarily a storage tank IU suitably connected to a riser II and a plurality of sprinklers positioned on suitable sprinkler piping I2, one of the sprinklers being indicated by the numeral l3. riser II, and the piping l2 are filled with a suitable fire extinguishing fluid as is an upward extension it of the riser H which extends a short distance above the highest sprinkler of the sprinkler system as shown. The uppermost end of this upward extension section I4 of the riser H is provided with a suction chamber [5 which is shown in enlarged detail in Figure 2 of the drawings. In order that the opening of the sprinkler I3, or any other sprinkler which may be a part of the herein described system, will result in pressure being applied to the fiuid contents of the tank I0, means has been provided whereby compressed gases, preferably nitrogen,may be released into the tank I0 through a suitable regulator so that the liquid contents of the tank l0 may be forced outwardly through the sprinklers so as to satisfactorily control a fire. Still referring to Figure 1 it will be observed that the tank Ill has removably mounted thereon a portable compressed gas cylinder I6 of a type commonly used in various industrial applications. The delivery end of the compressed gas cylinder [6 is The tank 10, the

positioned within a lower portion of a release mechanism I! which mechanism is also connected by suitable tubing IE3 to the suction chamber I5 atop the upward extension I4 of the riser ll heretofore referred to. The delivery orifice of the compressed gas cylinder I6 communicates through the gas release mechanism H, which incorporates a suitable pressure regulator with the tank It by way of suitable tubular connections I9. A safety plug ISA is incorporated in the tubular connection I9 to eliminate the possibility of the accidental application of too great a pressure of the tank U and sprinkler system.

Still referring to Figure 1 of the drawings it will be observed that an expansion tank 20 is in communication with the upward extension [4 of the riser II and in normal use in approximately two thirds filled with the fire extinguishing fluid of the sprinkler system. This expansion tank 20.

is provided to insure an adequate head in the upward extension I4 of the riser II at all times and to provide for normal expansion of the fluid in the system at such time as the same occurs. The numeral 2i indicates a suitable vent communicating with the upper portion of the expansion tank 28 and the numeral 22 indicates an overflow connection which also communicates with the uppermost portion of the tank 20 and which in actual installation would lead to a suitable drain. Still referring to Figure 1 it will be observed that the riser II and its various parts communicating with the pressure tank ID include a drain or fill connection 23, a check valve 24 a fire department connection 25, and a manually operated master control valve 26. The portion of the riser assembly immediately adjacent the tank IB also includes a drain and refill fitting 21.

By referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings in which an enlarged cross sectional side elevation of the suction chamber I5 is shown it will be seen that the chamber comprises upper and lower body portions 23 and 29 respectively, having suitably positioned therebetween, in assembled relation, a shield 39 comprising a section of flexible metal foil and a diaphragm 31 preferably formed of molded rubber. The flexibl metal shield 38 serves to prevent the rubber diaphragm 3! from sticking to the adjacent flat surface of the upper body portion 23. An opening 32 in the body portion 29 is adapted to receive the upper end of the riser extension l4 and, as the suction chamber I5 is positioned above the overflow level of the expansion tank 20 as may be seen in Figure 1, it will be seen that variations in the head ofliquid in the upwardly extending portion l4 of the riser I I directly affect the diaphragm 3I causing it to move in relation thereto. The body portion 28 is provided with a fiat bottom section 33 through which a tapped opening 34 extends and communicates with the upper surface of the flexible metal shield 39. The air tubing I8 heretofore referred to in Figure 1 communicates with this tapped opening 3 3 so that downward movement of the diaphragm 3i and the shield 30 in response to a loss of head in the riser extension I4 result in a relatively lower pressure in the air tubing I8 which in turn actuates the release mechanism I! in a manner hereinafter described. By referring now to Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings wherein enlarged detail views of the release mechanism I! are shown, it will be seen, as best illustrated in Figure 5, that the compressed gas release mechanism I1 incorporates the use of a pressure responsive release mechanism 35 which 75 is constructed to be actuated on either an increase or decrease of pressure in the supplemental air tubing IB communicating therewith. This pressure responsive release mechanism 35 comprises in part the subect matter of Patent #2,099,069 of November 16, 1937, to E. A. Lowe et al., wherein its complete structure and operating principles are adequately set forth. In order to simplify the present disclosure this pressure responsive release mechanism 35 and its structure are not herein described, claimed or lustrated as they are adequately set forth in the above mentioned patent, and are therefore well known in the art. In the present disclosure a variation of the pressure in the air tube I8 communicating with the mechanism 35 results in the movement of a pressure sensitive diaphragm in the pressure responsive release which permits a partial rotation of a milled shaft 36 which in turn permits a lever 31 to move and, through a system of levers 38, 39 and 40, also permits a latch lever il, which is formed with a supporting finger 42, to rotate about a pivot 43; In operation as described in the above mentioned patent to Lowe et al. and in the present device, the partial rotation of the latch lever about its pivot comprises the complete movement upon which the activation of the gas release mechanism depends. It will thus be observed that a drop in the head of the liquid in the upward extension Id of the riser II upon the opening of a sprinkler results in a reduction in air pressure above the diaphragm 3! as heretofore described and the subsequent reduction of air pressure in the air tube i8 which in turn causes the pressure responsive release mechanism 35' to function and results in the release of the various levers thereof so that the supporting finger 42 thereof may be moved downwardly as by the normal tendency of a weight i l which is suspended thereby through the medium of a suitable latch 35 which is flexibly mounted thereon and is normally held in operative position by means of a tension spring it which is also attached to 2. depending portion of the latch 45. This latch structure permits the resetting of the weight 44 as the latch 45 will move out of latched position when it encounters the supporting finger 42 of the control mechanism 55 upon being reset. As may be seen by referring to Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings, the pressure responsive release mechanism 35 is positioned in the upper portion of the compressed gas release mechanism housing I I and adjacent to a pair of guide rods 4'! upon which the weightfunctions. The guide rods 41 terminate at their lower ends in suitable supporting brackets fld-provided'with bumpers 48A whichare positioned at the sides of the lower central section of the compressed gas release mechanism housing I? which includes a gear segment t9 pivoted at a point 49A to the gas release mechanism housing I]. As is most clearly illustrated in FigureS, this gear segment 49 is provided with a plurality of suitable gear teeth 59 and an outwardly and upwardly extending operating arm 5f which is positioned adjacent to and between the lower portions of the guide rods 47 so that the weight upon its release by the pressure responsive. release mechanism 35 will drop uponthe arm 5| with a hammer-like blow and thus cause the same to move the gear segment 49. partially about its pivot 45min a clockwise, direction so that the gear teeth 50 thereof suitably rotate a toothed gear 52 which in turn is affixed to a control valve 53 of the compressed gas cylinder l6 which extends, as may be seen in Figure 3, into the lower central portion of the release mechanism housing I1. It will thus be observed that upon the opening of a sprinkler in the associated sprinkler system, the action of the pressure responsive release mechanism 35 results in the drop of the weight 44 and the partial rotation of the gear segment 49 about its pivot 49A with the simultaneous opening of the control valve 53 of the compressed gas cylinder I6.

In order that compressed gas in the cylinder l6 may be directed into the pressure tank H] of the sprinkler system, a suitable coupling 54 and a conventional pressure regulator 55 are positioned in the lower portion of the gas release mechanism housing l1, the coupling 54 adapted to'establish a suitable connection between the pressure regulator 55 and the compressed gas cylinder [6 by way of the control valve 53 thereof. Suitable tubular connections I!) connect the pressure regulator 55 with the pressure tank II) as shown in Figure 1 so that the released gases may enter thereinto and force the fire extinguishing fluid from the tank l through the riser II and the associated sprinkler piping and sprinklers thus effectively controlling a fire.

In order that a desirable signal may be given upon the actuation of the release mechanism in the housing H a suitable electrical switch is incorporated in the structure thereof and is indicated in Figures 3 and by the numeral 56. A projecting arm 51 of the switch 56 is depressed by the weight 44 when the same is dropped thus effectively establishing an electrical circuit through the switch 56 which may be used to energize an alarm signal, as illustrated in Figure 1, wherein an electric alarm bell 58 is shown wired to the gas release mechanism in the housing H. In this connection it is obvious that, if desirable, a water motor alarm may be attached to the sprinkler system in a conventional manner which would be actuated by the flow of fire extinguishing fluid in the system in a manner well known to the art.

In order that the compressed gas cylinder l6 may be effectively mounted on the pressure tank it! in effective position with respect to the release mechanism in the housing ll, a mounting bracket 59 is aflixed to the tank l0 and provided with a strap 63 so that the cylinder [6 may be effectively positioned therein. In addition thereto adjusting screws El are provided so that the cylinder 16 may be moved thereby into proper alignment with respect to the gas release mechanism in the housing ll. Similar adjusting screws as indicated by the numerals 62 form a part of the gas release mechanism in the housing l1 and serve to properly align the neck and valve portions of the gas cylinder It in operating alignment with the gear segment 49 of the release mechanism. In addition thereto a support arm 63 engages the valve stem of the control valve 53 of the compressed gas cylinder I6 to insure its accurate and dependable support and positioning with respect to the gear segment 49. It is obvious that the toothed gear 52 is substituted for the conventional hand wheel commonly supplied with compressed gas cylinders. By again referring to Figure 5 of the drawings it will be observed that a cover portion 64, the majority of which has been broken away in the illustration is provided to suitably enclose the release mechanism and further that the cover 64 serves to maintain in non-operating position a safety latch 65 which is pivoted by means of a pivot 66 to the housing I! of the gas release mechanism. As may be seen in Figure 3 of the drawings this safety latch 65 comprises a semi- U-shaped member pivoted at its lowermost portion so that upon removal of the cover 64 it will tend to move into effective operating position so that an accidental release of the weight 44 will not result in the movement of the gear segment 49 due to the weights striking an upwardly projecting portion 61 of the safety latch 65. It will be observed that when the cover 64 is in position the safety latch 65 is effectively moved into nonoperative position so that-the upwardly extending portions 55 thereof will not engage the weight 44 and thus will in no way interfer with the satisfactory operation of the gas release mechanism. The safety latch is provided so that the gas release mechanism in the housing ll may be opened and tested from time to time without actually releasing the gas from the cylinder l6 into the tank Ill as would otherwise be the case. Due to its U shaped form and the fact that the pivot 66 is off center with respect to the latch proper, the safety latchs normal tendency is to move outwardly of the release mechanism upon the removal of the' cover 64 thus bringing the upwardly extending portion 61 thereof into effective position for blocking the complete dropping of the weight 44.

What I claim is:

1. In a fluid level responsive mechanism, a diaphragm, a housing therefor provided with a diaphragm chamber having an outwardly bowed wall adjacent one face of the said diaphragm and a flat wall preventing deflection of the diaphragm in the opposite direction, an opening in said fiat wall, said bowed wall diaphragm chamber communicating with a riser of a fluid filled sprinkler system, means for conveying pneumatic pressure to the opening in the flat wall adjacent the said diaphragm, a main release member and means for releasing said release member on movement of the diaphragm toward the said bowed wall as in response to'a drop in the fluid level in the sprinkler system in communication therewith.

2. In a fluid level responsive mechanism, a diaphragm, a housing therefor provided with a diaphragm chamber having an outwardly bowed wall adjacent oneface of the said diaphragm and a flat wall preventing deflection of the diaphragm in the opposite direction, a shield positioned between the said diaphragm and the said flat wall for preventing the diaphragm from adhering thereto, an opening in said flat wall, said bowed wall diaphragm chamber communicating with a riser of a fluid filled sprinkler system, means for conveying pneumatic pressure to the opening in the flat wall adjacent the said diaphragm, a main release member and means for releasing said release member on movement of the diaphragm toward the said bowed wall as in response to a drop in the fluid level in the sprinkler system in communication therewith.

3. In a fire extinguishing system provided with a fluid filled supply tank and a set of fluid filled conducting pipes and sprinklers, including a riser above the highest sprinkler of the system, a compressed gas source for establishing pressure in the said supply tank, and means for releasing the compressed gas into the said supply tank comprising a main gas releasing mechanism and a fluid pressure responsive mechanism, the said fluid pressure responsive mechanism comprising a diaphragm, a housing therefore provided with a diaphragm chamber having a flat wall against which the said diaphragm is positioned for preventing deflection of the diaphragm in one direction, said diaphragm chamber communicating with the said riser, an opening in the said flat wall, pneumatic impulse tubing communicating with the said opening and with the said main gas releasing mechanism, so that a drop in the fluid level in the said riser as occasioned by the opening of a sprinkler results in the movement of the diaphragm causing a pneumatic impulse in the pneumatic impulse tubing and actuates the main gas releasing mechanism.

4. In a fire extinguishing system the combination of a fluid filled supply tank having a set of fluid filled conducting pipes and sprinklers, including a riser above the highest sprinkler of the system, a compressed gas source for establishing pressure in the said supply tank, a gas releasing mechanism for releasing the compressed gas into the said supply tank and fluid pressure responsive means for activating the said gas releasing mechanism upon the opening of one or more of the said sprinklers and comprising a suction chamber positioned on the said riser and in communication therewith, a diaphragm positioned in the said suction chamber and against a flat wall thereof, an opening formed in the said flat wall, pneumatic impulse tubing communicating with the said opening and with the said gas releasing mechanism so that a drop in the fluid level in the said riser as occasioned by the opening of a sprinkler results in the movement of the diaphragm away from the flat wall and causes a pneumatic impulse in the pneumatic impulse conducting tubing and actuates the gas releasing mechanism.

5. In a fire extinguishing system provided with a fluid filled supply tank and a set of fluid filled conducting pipes and sprinklers, including a riser above the highest sprinkler of the system, a compressed gas source for establishing pressure in the said supply tank and pneumatically actuated controlled means controlling the admission of compressed gas to the said tank, a suction chamber positioned on the said riser and communicating therewith, a diaphragm positioned in said suction chamber and against'a flat wall thereof, an opening formed in the said'flat wall, and including pneumatic impulse conducting tubing communicating with the said opening and with the said pneumatically actuated controlled means so that a drop in the fluid level in the said riser as occasioned by the opening of the said sprinkler results in the movement of the said diaphragm away from the flat wall and causes a pneumatic impulse which actuates the pneumatically actuated controlled means.

6. In a fire extinguishing system the combination of a fluid filled supply tank, a set of fluid filled conducting pipes communicating therewith, sprinklers on the said pipes, a riser communicating with the said pipes and terminating above the uppermost sprinkler of the system, a. compressed gas source for establishing pressure in the said supply tank and a fluid pressure responsive mechanism comprising a diaphragm, a housing therefor provided with a diaphragm chamber having an outwardly bowed wall adjacent one face of the said diaphragm and a flat wall preventing deflection of the diaphragm in the opposite direction,an opening in the said flat wall, said bowed wall diaphragm chamber communicating with the said riser, means for conveying pneumatic pressure to the opening in the flat wall adjacent the diaphragm, a main compressed gas release member and means for releasing the said release member on movement of the diaphragm toward the said bowed wall as in response to a drop in the fluid level in the fire extinguishing system in communication therewith.

'7. In a fire extinguishing system the combination of a fluid filled supply tank, a set of fluid filled conducting pipes communicating therewith, sprinklers on the said pipes, a riser communicating with the said pipes and terminating above the uppermost sprinkler of the system, a compressed gas source for establishing pressure in the said supply tank and a fluid pressure responsive mechanism comprising a diaphragm, a housing therefor provided with a diaphragm chamber having an outwardly bowed wall adjacent one face of the diaphragm and a flat wall preventing deflection of the diaphragm in the opposite direction, a shield positioned between said diaphragm and the said flat wall for preventing the diaphragm from adhering thereto, an opening in said flat wall, said bowed wall diaphragm chamber communicating with the said riser, means for conveying pneumatic pressure to the opening in the flat wall adjacent the diaphragm, a main compressed gas release member and means for releasing the said release member on movement of the diaphragm toward the said bowed wall as in response to a drop in the fluid level in the fire extinguishing system in communication therewith.

HARRY N. RIDER. 

